This summer has been an up and down one for Newcastle fans. The Magpies went through a rough patch where it seemed they’d be signing very few players, however, it all looks to have blown over now as deals for Yoshinori Muto, Salomon Rondon and Joe Bryan look to be completed soon. However, it’s not all good news as Florian Lejeune looks to be out for a long time with a knee injury.
During my last training session, I left the field due to an injury. After further medical examination, the doctor told me I have a cruciate ligament injury. I’ll have surgery in the next few days. I’ll do everything I can to get back as quickly as possible on St James’ Park pic.twitter.com/LtuO670sNZ
— Florian Lejeune (@lejeune_florian) 29 July 2018
Lejeune’s absence will be one that the fans will be annoyed about. The Frenchman made a huge impact in his debut season at St James Park, partnering up with Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the Magpies defence as the club finished 10th in their first season back in the top flight. The 27-year-old defender will be keen to get back out on the pitch for his club as soon as possible after his enjoyable and successful season after signing from Eibar last summer.
It’s likely that the defender won’t be fit and playing again until at least 2019 with the severity of his injury. Some players never regain their form after suffering cruciate ligament injuries and it won’t be a pleasant season for Rafa Benitez and co if they lose another central defender. Fabian Schar will come in for Lejeune for the time being, but if the Swiss defender can’t live up to his injured colleague’s standards then the fans will be counting down the days until their French defender is back and fit.
You can read the Geordies’ verdict on Lejeune’s layoff here:
Will be sorely missed big man. All the best with the recovery and hope you come back stronger than ever!
— BristolMagpie (@BristolMagpie) 29 July 2018
Get well soon
— Je M’Appelle Nicole (@Nicolam1980) 29 July 2018
Just get it sorted lad don’t rush back too early we need you 100% fit
Bet Kane is glad as you owe him #neverforget that awful tackle last season ! It should have been a red card— Steve Johnston (@Sjohnston7Steve) 29 July 2018
Speedy recovery
— Dylan (@dyIanbrett) 29 July 2018
Get well soon! We stay united
— gavin thompson (@gavinthompson1) 29 July 2018
Gutted for you (and us)…Speedy recovery Florian, you’ll be a big miss
— Kirsty xKinkx Keegan (@KinkKee7) 30 July 2018
Florian , wishing you a speedy recovery you’ll be back stronger & fitter & get back to how class you were last season #NUFC
— John Sinclair (YT)⚫️⚪️ (@john_nufc42) July 29, 2018
Just from this you can see how annoyed the Newcastle fans are at having to lose Lejeune for the start of the season.
